The two main architects of the Duomo

Although he didn't live to see his dome completed

 his likeness now gazes up at it

Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flower
Or in Italian
Santa Maria del Fiore

Gothic style

Built 1296 - 1436

The exterior is comprised of Polychrome marble panels in various shades 

of Green and Pink bordered with White

153 metres in length

90 metres wide

Famous for it's Red Dome

The largest brick dome in the world
Height 114.5 metres or 375.7 feet

Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi

(1377 - 1446)

Who is considered to be a founding father

 of Renaissance architecture

Cathedral & Bell Tower
Built over top the remains of the 7th century
 Church of Santa Reparata

Some of the amazing features of local Renaissance styled

neighborhood decoration

On our guided pathway to the Duomo or it's official name

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Now why on earth would I choose to include this photo, you ask?

See the little plaque at the top of the window display?

That marks the depth of the Arno River that flooded the City of Florence in 1966

This store is across the piazza / square from the Santa Croce.

The flood damaged the church severely 

It has taken a number of decades to repair

Due to instability issues in 2017
 (church was originally built on a reclaimed swamp)

The church was closed for "a multi year restoration program"

Thankfully was re opened in the Spring of 2019

Welcome to the Garden of the Monastery

a place to 'OPA'

Pray for Souls

Would this photo be worthy of your wall display Mom?

I love the color of the flowers and the light of the sky

Another view of the courtyard

One of the many chapels

I find that the majority of people in places of worship

rarely look up

Look upon what they have missed

Fresco painted dome

inside the Chapel

Dome 

Leading into the garden of the monastary

Examples of the many pieces of art within

Santa Croce

Memorial for 

Dante Alighieri 

The most famous poet of Florence

"abandon all hope, all who enter here"

"the darkest places in hell are reserved for those

who maintain their neutrality in times

of moral crisis"

"the wisest are the most annoyed with the loss of time"

Tomb of Galileo

Tomb of Rossini

Tomb of Michelangelo

Day 3
Welcome to Florence!
An hour and 40 minute drive from our hotel

The Basilica of Santa Croce (Holy Cross)

Neo-Gothic marble façade

 Built in 1294

The tombs of Michelangelo, Rossini and Galileo

There is also a memorial to Dante

but his sarcophagus is empty as he was exiled from Florence

This church boasts 16 chapels

Numerous frescos

Paid for by the wealthiest families of the time

Santa Croce considered the largest

Franciscan church in the world

(rear of the church) Where the majority of burial sites are located

A panoramic view 

Main Altar